Differentiation

Next Steps for April 15

Read Chapter 7: The Simple, Hard Truth About Teaching.

1. At the beginning of the chapter, there are 27 bullet-points that describe what research tells us about education, teachers, and students. Pick 3 bullet-points and discuss. Describe why these 3 statements stand out to you as part of your educational philosophy and how they have impacted your educational experience. Be sure to discuss each bullet-point in a paragraph (3 paragraphs total).

2. At the end of pg. 91, Tomlinson says, "If we allow ourselves to fall in love with what we do, we will be reborn countless times, almost always in a form stronger and more fully human than the one that preceded it. Thus it may be that to teach more responsively, more effectively, we ultimately need to accept two challenges. First, we need to cultivate passion for what we do. Second, we need to remove our protective armor and allow our students to shape us, reflecting on and learning from what we see." Respond to this statement in 2 paragraphs. Do you agree? Do you disagree? Why?

Next Steps for March 3

  As you know, you are to bring a student sample of one differentiated strategy that you learned on February 4.

Since we have now finished the reading from Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom, your assignment is to post one NEW strategy from each category:

1. Cooperative Learning

2. Lecture Style

3. Mnemonic Device

4. Non-Linguistics

5. Game

Your 5 NEW strategies may come from any teacher resource! For example, use the internet, pull ideas from your own teacher resources, or discuss differentiated strategies with your school neighbor.

Next Steps for February 4

Chapter 6 discusses several differentiation strategies to implement in your classroom to help build student confidence and self-efficacy! Here they are:

Learning Menus

Think-Tac-Toe

RAFT Activities

Tiering

Complex Instruction

Task-Specific and Generic Rubrics

Learning Contracts

ThinkDots

Multiple-Entry Journals

Each strategy is thoroughly explained in the back of the book under the section entitled 'Toolbox' beginning on page 99. The Chapter 6 strategies begin on page 127. Each explanation provides two examples as well. For the strategies listed above, pick two. My favs are Think-Tac-Toe and ThinkDot! Once you have picked your two favs, use your current UBD and create/post both strategy to the blog! Here is an example from Kelly Emmett on science literacy:

Download Science Fiction Think Tac Toe

You can attach your created strategies to the blog or post directly. Happy Reading! =)

See Amanda with questions.

Next Steps for Dec. 19

HI Gang!

Here is the much anticipated Next Steps for December 19!

Please read the second half of Chapter 4 beginning on pg. 47 and please read all of Chapter 5.

Answer the following questions by posting directly to the blog page:

1. In one paragraph, explain how classroom routines are an essential component to a differentiated classroom.

2. Examine the four support system scenarios beginning on pg. 50 and determine which scenario 'best' fits your style of a differentiated classroom. Support your determination with two examples from the text.

3. In one paragraph, explain how teachers can guide students in sharing responsibility for classroom operation and mutual success. Hint: check out the shared responsibility scenarios! =)

4. Check out Figure 5.1 on pg. 59. Which two 'teacher' elements stand out most to you when it comes to differentiation? In two paragraphs, explain their importance for curriculum and instruction. Be sure to include your goals on what you want the student to understand.

5. After reading the section on 'Curriculum and Instruction in the Face of Student Diversity', give your opinion on the two principles that 'lie at the center of envisioning the role of curriculum and instruction in creating ties with students'. Do you agree? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Atomic Learning

http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/home

Atomic Learning's online training and support provides answers to your "how do I do that?" software questions. It's just like having a technology specialist in every classroom!

Download atomic_learning_accelerators.pdf

Learning accelerators contain everything you need to create a fun and interesting technology project!

Part II of Next Steps for Nov. 4

Here is Part II of Next Steps due by November 4. Please read Chapter 3 and the first half of Chapter 4 to end of pg. 46. Answer the attached questions as you read.

Download chapter_34_assignment.doc

Download chapter_3_organizer.doc

As always, if you have any questions, please see Amanda or Sandie! =)

Part I of Next Steps for Nov. 4

HI Differentiated Gang!

Here is Part One of your assignment due by Nov. 4:

Please open the following document and respond the questions for Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. Be sure to answer each question with 3-4 sentences.

Download differentiation_assignments.doc 

If you have any questions, please see Amanda DeBardelaben or Sandie Drummond. =)

Next Steps from September 16, 2008

Hi Gang!

ARE YOU READY?! Next Meeting: October 15! Stephanie Martin and Linda Noffsinger will be presenting!

Be sure to read Chapter 2 in Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom and please bring a lesson to our next meeting that you would like to differentiate.